In what seems like the closest thing to a sure bet in the NBL, the Perth Wildcats will be out to move back into the top four when they host the struggling and out of finals contention Brisbane Bullets. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9:30pm (AEDT).
As a crazy NBL regular season draws to a close, there are still six teams in contention for three spots, with the 36ers qualified and Bullets, unfortunately out of contention.
It’s been something bordering on horrific for the Bullets during the second half of the season, as they have gone from injury to injury, cut Jermaine Beal and slumped to the bottom of the table where they are likely to remain.
But, given the club is still in their first season since returning to the league and have a youthful squad – many of who are contracted next year – these last couple of games are important for them to build and begin working the jigsaw out for next season.
The Bullets form is understandably atrocious and they lost both matches last weekend, going down to the Kings in a close one before being blown off the floor against the Cairns Taipans.
Most of the focus for this game is rightly on the Perth Wildcats. They currently sit just outside the top four, but so do the two teams behind them who are still in contention.
The closeness of the competition means that a single victory has the power to move them from fifth to second in one foul swoop depending on other results, something they will be badly wanting to do.
While the Wildcats form has looked solid, there are issues bubbling away in Perth. Casey Prather and Matty Knight both don’t appear to be at full fitness and Damian Martin is not in top form. Couple that with Bryce Cotton having too many quiet games and this match still poses some serious risk.
There is no underestimating the importance of this for Perth though, and besides the fact they have pulled out of some incredibly close ones this season, they will also know that containing Jeremy Kendle and Torrey Craig will get 90 per cent of the job done.
Prediction
It’s hard to see Perth losing at home. Brisbane will be in the fight for the first three quarters, but a sell-out crowd at The Jungle should see the Wildcats over the line.
Perth by 9.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this match from 9:30pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to drop a comment in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
That'll do it on The Roar this evening for our live coverage of the 2016-17 NBL Season as the Perth Wildcats took a big win. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. I'll be back on Monday Night from 7:30pm (AEDT) as Melbourne United clash with the Illawarra Hawks at Hisense Arena, where the roof is expected to be open. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for following Damo! Good win for your mob this evening.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers? Absolutely dominating performance for the Wildcats out there as they take the 31-point win. Greg Hire and Bryce Cotton massive on offence while Damian Martin and Matty Knight led the way early on with the defensive side of things. Not much to talk about for Brisbane really. Tough night for them as they pick up the spoon. Shaun Bruce and Mitch Young were strong in patches though.
Damo
Guest
Cheers Scott. Good confidence booster for the Cats. See you next time.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Redhage goes to the line after being fouled and makes both. The Bullets will pretty much dribble this out. Into the final 10 seconds and Tong misses the shot. The Wildcats then don't need to do anything as the party starts in The Jungle. That was just a dominating performance. The Wildcats go to third, the Bullets resigned to the spoon. Perth Wildcats - 94 Brisbane Bullets - 63
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' Bruce makes both. Wildcats - 92 Bullets - 61
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 0' GREG HIRE! Man on fire out there as he knocks down another three. 52 seconds on the clock as play is stopped to a foul with Bruce working it down the floor. Wildcats - 92 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Kendle fires from the carpark here and that's no good before Bragg finds Redhage in the low post and he misses, working hard to find some space. Good defence though. Bullets with a quick turnover at the other end. Wildcats - 89 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Drew at the line on the other side of this timeout and he makes one. Wildcats - 89 Bullets - 59
Damo
Guest
Haha. He was no chance to reach the rim but it looked great!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' Timeout on the floor. Wildcats - 88 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' It's all happening now. Hire with a massive three before he comes up with a steal, the Wildcats racing up the floor to Drew who goes for the big slam from way, way out. It misses and he is fouled. Wildcats - 88 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' The Bullets wth some fairly scrappy offence here before Brice finds a way into the lane and misses the floater. Wildcats - 85 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Lovely move from Redhage who misses the lay up before McKay comes through for the put back finish. Foul at the other end. Wildcats - 85 Bullets - 59
Bryn
Guest
30 point game beckoning...
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Redhage makes both. Wildcats - 83 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Brandt pulls up on a long range two this time and it misses. Foul under the bucket on the reound, with Rehage going to the line. Wildcats - 81 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Martin with it now and he throws a lovely ball to Kernrich-Drew who drops it off for Brandt and he lays it in. Young with a nice bit of work at the other end to lay it in Wildcats - 81 Bullets - 59
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' The little Bullets run has been well and truly snuffed out here, with the clock just winding its way down now. In saying that, they grab a steal before there is an off the ball foul against Redhage. Wildcats - 79 Bullets - 57
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 5' Timeout called. Wildcats - 79 Bullets - 57